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Electric trucks are in Walmart Canada's future

Walmart Canada says that come 2028, its entire fleet will be alternatively-powered. The retailer, which ordered 10 Tesla 18-wheeler semi-trucks in November 2017, says it will now acquire another 30. With a fleet of 40 Tesla Semis, the company will feature one of the largest electrified fleets in Canada and will reach an initial milestone of converting 20 per cent of its fleet to electric power by 2022.

Tesla says a fully-charged semi will have a range of 800 kilometres at maximum weight and at highway speed. That fits with the needs of Walmart Canada’s general fleet system, which consists mainly of single-day round trips.

Tesla is also promising that its semi will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmh in 20 seconds with a full load and climb a 5 per cent grade at a steady 105 kmh (compared to 72 kmh for a diesel truck). The semi will also be equipped with a range of safety features.

The Tesla Semi is not yet in production, however. A prototype has been developed, but full production is not expected before 2019.

Walmart Canada says its first 20 Tesla Semis will be used to support its fleet base in Mississauga, Ontario. The remaining 20 Tesla Semis will be allocated to the company’s recently-announced Surrey, British Columbia sustainable fulfillment centre, which is set to open in 2022.